Thunderstorms rumbled across central Missouri this morning and may re-develop this afternoon. Since the clash zone between cool, dry air and warm humid air lies south of our region, the storms were not severe; in fact, the potential for strong thunderstorms with possible tornadoes currently stretches through Arkansas, southeast Missouri and the Ohio River Valley.
Looking at the weather map, one can see the effects of an undulating jet stream. A deep, cold, atmospheric trough dips through the Intermountain West while "shallower" troughs dip across the Upper Midwest and New England. South of the latter troughs, warm, humid air is streaming northward from the Gulf of Mexico, igniting bands of rain and thunderstorms where these atmospheric ridges and troughs collide.
This annual weather phenomenon usually begins along the Gulf Coast in February and the clash zone gradually drifts northward over the following months, fueled by heat from the rising sun angle. Here in Missouri, potent spring thunderstorms generally peak from mid April into early May; today's thundershowers are but another sign that winter is retreating.
Looking at the weather map, one can see the effects of an undulating jet stream. A deep, cold, atmospheric trough dips through the Intermountain West while "shallower" troughs dip across the Upper Midwest and New England. South of the latter troughs, warm, humid air is streaming northward from the Gulf of Mexico, igniting bands of rain and thunderstorms where these atmospheric ridges and troughs collide.
This annual weather phenomenon usually begins along the Gulf Coast in February and the clash zone gradually drifts northward over the following months, fueled by heat from the rising sun angle. Here in Missouri, potent spring thunderstorms generally peak from mid April into early May; today's thundershowers are but another sign that winter is retreating.
